Town Square

School administrator Kathleen Meagher to leave for Virginia

Original post made
on Apr 12, 2014

A top Palo Alto school administrator and former Duveneck Elementary School principal has announced she is leaving to take a a position with a Virginia public school district that is nearly twice as large as Palo Alto.

Posted by Duveneck parent
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 12, 2014 at 8:22 am

"Wonderful leadership"? Really, Superintendent Skelly? It is no secret that Kathleen Meagher was wildly disliked as Duveneck's principal, was removed after parents and teachers would no longer tolerate her arrogance, condescension, and "my way or the highway" management style, and yet--thanks once again to tenure laws--was shuffled into the safe harbor of PAUSD's administration. The fact that PAUSD protected her, despite her terrible performance at Duveneck, and continues to protect other terribly poor educators, has really soured the willingness of many to support the district, through PiE or otherwise.

Posted by Mom
a resident of Palo Alto High School
on Apr 12, 2014 at 1:36 pm

[Portion removed.] I worked with her on the PTA and yes, "Duveneck parent" is correct in the description of her. Perhaps being surrounded by intellectuals resulted in her condescending, unprofessional style so she could feel better about herself. To do well in PAUSD, administrators have to know how to work well with people and compromise, rather than dictate. [Portion removed.]

Posted by Crescent Park Mom
a resident of Crescent Park
on Apr 14, 2014 at 11:55 amCrescent Park Mom is a registered user.

I was on the PTA Board when Ms Meagher was at Duveneck. I, and many other parents, thought she was wonderful! Her teachers really enjoyed working with her as well. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy working with her "Duveneck Parent" and "Mom" but I don't agree that she was "wildly disliked". She left Duveneck on her own because she was really good at and really enjoyed the administrative side of curriculum development not because she was forced to go. Your information is incorrect.

A little known fact about Ms Meagher is that she was instrumental in ensuring that Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts were able to continue at elementary schools throughout Palo Alto. If it hadn't been for her, these organizations would have been on a path to extinction in Palo Alto. We should be grateful to her for fighting to keep these programs at our schools.